A perfect blend of Intelligence and Stupidity

World Cup 2014 team preview – Japan

Manager: Alberto Zaccheroni

Captain: Makoto Hasebe

The first team to qualify. The champions of asia. They have a myriad of excellent players in midfield, but whether they’re sturdy enough to match Ivory Coast and Colombia up front remain to be seen. Japan is a surprise package in this world cup. Not a favorable group for them. As Ivory Coast and Colombia are clearly favorites to push through , but they can defeat them.

Notable Weakness – Excellent Attackers , but a striker who can convert goals ? sure Kagawa can score , Honda can score . but neither is playing as a striker.

Projected Starting XI

Goalkeeper – Eiji Kawashima starting for Blue Samurais

Defenders – Attacking fullbacks Yuto Nagatomo and Atsuto Uchida will be expected to start for japan. With Yasuyuki Konno and Maya Yoshida will be at the center back.

Midfielders – Yasuhito Endo And Makoto Hasebe will as the engine for the Japanese midfield. Expect them to provide useful balls to Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa who will be playing a more attacking role.

Forwards – Shinji Okazaki can Start , Hiroshi Kiyotake is there also , Yoichiro Kakitani can also . Who will start ? who knows.

Key Player – Keisuke Honda is expected to lead this team. especially having a good cover from midfield for him.

Notable Missing Players – Hajime Hosogai is not the final 23 . The Defensive midfield could provide good cover for Endo and Hasebe

Surprise – Yoichiro Kakitani ! Could be a surprise for Japan. A foreign club move for him is possible if he performs well in this world cup.

One to Watch – Shinji Kagawa , He’s the one to watch. How he can play well with Honda who theoretically has been playing the same role as his.

Young Star -Hotaru Yamaguchi will provide cover in the veteran midfield , but Gōtoku Sakai will surely have his chances on that high flying fullback of japan

Projection

Making it out of the Group Stages , is not a easy task them for them . but they should because they have the capabilities to do it. Making it to the round of 16 is not a bad finish.